Comptroller DiNapoli's Financial Commentary

---

Score a Touchdown with Financial Football!

By State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

As the economy continues to sputter along, it’s becoming more and more important to make wise decisions with our money. And it’s becoming more and more important to give young New Yorkers a financial education at an early age.

Young people are quickly becoming one of the largest markets for credit card companies. An April report by Sallie Mae found that the average college undergraduate carried more than $3000 in credit card debt last year. In this economy, the last thing young people need is a financial ball and chain around their legs just as they are starting out on their own.

We need to tackle this problem head on.

Last month, I launched “Financial Football,” an NFL-themed, interactive, money management video game, targeted toward improving financial literacy among high school students. Copies of the game are being distributed to every high school in New York State.

Financial Football, which is a joint venture with the National Football League, Visa, Inc. and my Office, puts students’ financial knowledge to the test by combining the structure and rules of the NFL with financial education questions of varying difficulty. To score points, a team needs to answer a series of money management questions correctly. Wrong answers and penalties can cost a team yardage. Students can play as any NFL team they choose.

Your Money New York is my Office’s initiative to give New Yorkers unbiased information that covers everything from student loans to buying a home to retirement planning.You can even check out how government is spending your tax dollars on our companion website, www.openbooknewyork.com.

Now more than ever, it’s important for every New Yorker – young and old – to understand how money works. Financial Football is a fun way to give young New Yorkers the tools they’ll need to manage their money and build a solid financial future.